Short Story - The Footbridge

We were close to the pedestrian bridge when I saw them. 3 boys on the footbridge. It looked like they were in some kind of fight; 2 against one.

Even more terrifying; no street light from the bus stop we came from to the next 3 bus stops. The last time I was robbed at the next bus stop at 6am flashed before my eyes.

Picture from Google

So, if you avoid them by running at this bus stop, how would you avoid them at the next bus stop, my conscience asked me.

On we walked till we got close to the bridge and they noticed us. One of the boys started walking down. I eagerly pointed them out to my partner.
“We need to go back”
“Why?” he asked.
“It is 3am and those boys on the bridge are coming down to meet us”

“I don’t think so”. This fearless man answered. “Let me find a stick”. He started looking around him for a stick.

I saw the second boy walk to the other end of the bridge and I turned back without waiting for my partner.
“Wait now”. He called after me. “They can’t do anything. I will threaten them”.

“I will shoot your leg” he told them.
I didn’t look back.

I was in a hurry to get to safety. Vehicles passed us with speed; they didn’t send us to walk up and down so early in the morning.

I walked briskly to a security post. The security man was sleeping but I breathed better with the street lights blazing around me.

My partner called after me again.

“Let us go. Them no fit do anything”

I nodded.

A mischievous voice asked in my head;  “where is your faith, Jannie”

“I forgot it at home”. I replied. I was headed to Faith Tabernacle; Headquarters of The Living Faith Church, Worldwide.

Partner joins me and reiterates; “you too dey fear. I dey with you na”

“Didn’t you see those boys”

“Wait first, after we pass that bus stop, how do we waka the rest of the journey?” I wanted to know.

“Na just this place na. People dey everywhere”

“I see”

The two boys got close to us at the security post.

I was surprisingly calm. So calm, that I sat down on a bench.

I was going to church and not even two petty thieves will stop me.

Partner tried to wake up the security man who slept with his face covered.

“Oscar, you dey sleep? Some boys dey that bridge o”

Oscar shook himself awake.

The boys met us with Oscar.

They spoke in Yoruba to Oscar, trying to explain to him why they were on the bridge at 3am in the morning, I am sure.

“Sister, I no be thief o.” One of them told me, after their conversation. “Na me dey tell una make una pass say nothing go happen”.

I rolled my inner eyes.

“Na true I dey talk. The young man continued. “Na me dey catch thief for there”.

“I been tell una make una pass, say nothing go happen”.

I see. That must be why he is carrying a bag big enough for 30 phones.

The two boys left with Oscar. After a couple of seconds, I told my walk-mate.

“Let us go. Let’s follow them.” I have to meet the First Service of the Covenant Day of Marital Breakthrough.

We followed all three men at a distance.

I wondered out loud; “Is it safe for Oscar to leave his post?”

What if those 3 boys overpower him on the bridge?  A voice added.

I remembered the cutlass Oscar picked from the ground when the two boys ran to him and I breathed easier.

“I think he knows one of the boys.”

“Okay”

We passed the footbridge and crossed the expressway. Oscar and the boys climbed the bridge to confront their situation.

I saw a man in shorts crossing alone and stayed close to my friend.

“Are you scared”

“No, Sherlock. It ‘s 3am in the morning!”. I almost screamed at him.

I am never doing this again.

“Calm down. There is security everywhere. Even the Police patrol this area.”

“Which security? Na where you see Police?” I asked looking around.

He pointed at a guy sitting close to the roundabout we crossed to.

“Okay”. I looked scarily at the guy with an object. That must be another machete.

Where were we going again? Ah, to meet the first service bus to Canaanland, Ota. I have to be in that service because 2020 is my YEAR.

Secondly, I will be ministering to some boys at the Special Boys Correctional Home, Oregun later in the day and I need to touch Ota for favour. So, first service in Ota is a must.

We got close to the guy. Close to our destination.

“Oscar, how far?” My friend asked the security guard.

Oscar again? “Do you know this one too?

 “Nooo!” He was emphatic.

“Do you know the last guard at the junction”. I wanted to check something

“Ah! No now.”

“How come you greeted them by their first names.”

Don’t you know some security terms? There is Oscar, Alpha, etc.”

What?!! My inner conscience swooned.

I have been following a …..

The end..

                                                                                                                   

Jenny